ARMY AL&T
in Washington state and the Tennessee National Guard. These latest units will join others at Fort Irwin; Fort Polk; Fort Rucker, AL; Fort Eustis, VA; the U.S. Military Academy; and Germany, flying with the Active Army. The UH-72A is also used by the ARNG in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.
The aircraft are assembled, flight tested, and delivered from the American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, MS. Production of the EC-145 was tran- sitioned from the main Eurocopter plant at Donauworth, Germany, over 4 years. This process has allowed the plant to reach a production peak rate of 4–5 aircraft a month. At the same time, American Eurocopter sought out and invested in American suppliers to support this production, which has increased the contribution American industry is making to the LUH program.
Mission Equipment Packages To further increase the capability of the UH-72A, the Army and its contrac- tor team are developing and integrating MEPs. There have also been additions of equipment to aid operations and the reliability, availability, and maintain- ability of the aircraft as it has entered service. These include the installation of the AN/ARC-231 radio to provide secure communications, examination of coatings for the rotor blades and windshields to improve wear in extreme environments, and use of medical equipment storage racks.
The two major MEP kits being developed for this aircraft are for the
The District of Columbia Army National Guard flies its new UH-72A Lakotas over the city in support of transi- tion training. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Jon Soucy.)
ARNG Security and Support (S&S) mission and to support training at the Combined Training Centers (CTCs) at Forts Irwin and Polk and in Germany. The S&S MEP includes an electro-optical sensor, searchlight, laser pointer, and equipment to collect data and transmit it to ground stations. The CTC MEP has increased radios, a loudspeaker, and equipment to simulate shooting and being shot at. The acquisition of these MEP kits to maintain the commerciality and FAA certification has been led by the contractor and maximizes the use of commercial parts and equipment. This process again demonstrates the innovative underpinnings of the UH-72A program.
The UH-72A Lakota has quickly been deployed with the Army, providing improved capability and availability. The more than 100 Lakotas flying with the ARNG and Active Army units have amassed more than 30,000 flight hours in 3 years. An additional 80 aircraft will enter service by the end
American Eurocopter sought out and invested in American suppliers to support this production, which has increased the contribution American industry is making to the LUH program.
of 2011, accelerating the retirement of the UH-1 and OH-58 from service. The UH-72A Lakota has proudly taken its place alongside the other aircraft of Army aviation, fulfilling the needs of its operators and contributing to the security and safety of the United States and its people.
COL L. NEIL THURGOOD is the Project Manager for Utility Helicopters, Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation. He holds a B.S. in business management with a minor in commu- nications from the University of Utah, an M.S. in system acquisition man- agement from the Naval Postgraduate School, an M.S. in strategic studies from Air University, and a Ph.D. in management from Argosy University. Thurgood is certified Level III in pro- gram management and contracting and Level I in test and evaluation.
LTC DAVID BRISTOL is the Product Manager LUH, Utility Helicopters Project Office, PEO Aviation. He holds a B.S. in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an M.A. in acquisition manage- ment from the Florida Institute of Technology. Bristol is a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps.
OCTOBER –DECEMBER 2010
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